Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has alleged that foreign intelligence agencies are involved in the supply of weapons to bandits and other armed groups operating in Nigeria, although he offered no evidence to support the claim.
The cleric made the allegation during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, with excerpts circulating widely on social media on Tuesday.
Asked whether foreign countries could be arming Nigerian bandits and terrorists, Gumi replied, “It’s possible,” suggesting that any country with an interest in Nigeria could be involved.
He was more emphatic when asked about the possible involvement of foreign intelligence agencies.
“Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” he said.
Gumi also alleged that the proliferation of weapons among armed groups was being driven by financial support and competition between rival factions.
When asked whether some individuals were sponsoring the bandits, he responded, “It’s possible now. You know, it’s possible now.”
He explained that some of the money available to the groups was used to purchase more weapons, as different factions sought to acquire superior firepower.
“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them. You know, there are different groups.
“There’s an arms race. So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” he said.
On how the armed groups obtained their weapons, Gumi said they relied on illegal markets where firearms could be acquired by anyone with sufficient money.
“Well, it’s a black market, like drugs. It’s a black market. If you just have the money, you get them,” he said.
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Beyond the alleged weapons supply network, the cleric spoke about his interactions with bandits, claiming that some of them were unhappy with the continued bloodshed but believed they were compelled to sustain attacks because of killings in their communities.
“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said.
He added, “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”
According to Gumi, the armed men viewed the violence as a cycle of revenge and retaliation, with some fearing they would be killed if they abandoned their activities.
He said they complained that military operations initially aimed at tackling cattle rustling had resulted in the deaths of women and children in their communities.
“But why did they kill their women and children? Why are they killing their women and children? Why are the vigilantes arresting them and killing them? Why?” he quoted the bandits as asking.
Gumi said the groups regarded the situation as a continuing cycle of attacks and counterattacks.
“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.
He urged religious leaders to encourage dialogue between the parties, arguing that negotiations were necessary to end the killings.
“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he said.
Asked why the bandits could not simply stop their activities, Gumi said they feared being killed if they surrendered.
“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he said.
Banditry remains a major security challenge in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, where armed groups have carried out killings, kidnappings and attacks on rural communities.